The Portland daily press., 1887-11-16
COMMERCE AND FISHERIES.
New York Business Men Listen to
Joseph chamberlain.
The British Commissioner Takes a
Hopeful View of the Situation.
Letters Read from President cIeye-
land and Senator Sherman.

of the Chamber of Commerce was held this
evening at Delmonieo's. Covers were laid
for 212. The President Charles S. Smith.
presided. At his right sat Secretary Fair
child. at his left Secretary Lamar; and to
the right of Fairchild were Rt. Hon. joseph
Chamberlain, Chauncey NJ Depew, Sir Geo.
Campbell, Samuel d. Babcock, John Bige-
low, Judge Enoch L. Fancher. Rev. l.. I.
Chamberlain, Congressman w. Bourke
Cochran. and Collector Magone. To the left
of Secretary Lamar were Mayor Hewitt.
James c. Carter, HALEY Stewart, M. p,
Carl Schurz, Major General Schofield, Con-
gresham Cox and James NJ. Brown. Many
other prominent men were present.
President Smith, in his introductory re-
marks, declared that the Chamber of Com
merce intended to continue its efforts to
secure improvement in the harbor defences
for the city, stronger navy, and subsidies
for American steamship lines. Letters were
read from President Cleveland, Senator
Sherman and Gov. Hill. The President
wrote "Those charged by the people with
the management of the government cannot
fail to enhance their usefulness by familiar
ity with business conditions and intimacy
with business men, since good government
has no more important mission than the
stimulation and protection cf the activities
of the country. This relation between gov
ernment and business suggests the thought
that members of such associations as yours
owe to themselves and all the people
thoughtful discharge of their political obli-
cations, guided by practical knowledge of
affairs, to the end that there may be i'm
pressed upon the administration of the gov
ernment a business character and tendency
free from the diversion of passion, and un-
moved by sudden gusts Of excitement. But
the most wholesome purpose of their politi-
cal action will not be accomplished by in
sistance upon their exclusive claims for
selfish benefits. regardless of the welfare of
the people at large. Interdependence is so
fully an element in the national existence
that patriotic and generous heed to the
general good seems to SubServe every par
ticular interest"
Senator Sherman said: perhaps the most
important subject for the immediate future
is the extension of our commerce, especially
into Mexico and South America. The enor-
nous development of our internal industry
has made it necessary to seek foreign
markets for our surplus productions.
The most hopeful field for such operations
is growing and demands of the American
continent many articles the United States,
better than any other country, can furnish"
After the reading of the letters the toast,
The President" was drank. Secretary
Lamar said that in short time the United
States would not only be a rival Of Great
Britain for commercial supremacy, but
would soon OutStrip her.
In response to 'The United States"
Chauncey NJ Depew spoke in humorous
vein.
On proposing the health of Mr.. Chamber
lain, the president said; 1--WE are very glad
still in the prime of life, to whom fame
came early, whose name is known wherever
the English tongue is spoken, who, like his
colleague, John Bright, is always conspicu-
GUS in bis friendship for this country, and
has come to us representing the government
OF Great Britain upon a most important
diplomatic mission, in the hope of settling a
question which has been the cause of bad
blood between our Canadian neighbors
and an important section of our country.
It seems to me, gentlemen, that our guest is
fully equipped by long business as we'll as
public experience to accomplish the desired
result l hold it to be good omen for the
satisfactory settlement of the fishery ques-
ton; that MI, Chamberlain, as a cabinet
in private life, officially and unoffic-
tally, has shown himself on all
occasions strong friend and protector of
the sailor. You may be sure that so far as
his justice will permit, his sympathies will
be extended to the seaman, who have the
largest interest in the settlement of the ques-
tton. l ask you, gentlemen, 10 fill your
glasses, and drink to the health Of the Right
Honorable Joseph Chamberlain and to the
success of his mission" sssss
Mr.. Chamberlain thanked the chairman
and Chamber for the kindly words which
had been uttered, and said that he appre-
ciated the cordial reception and the honor of
accepting the Chambers hospitality. He
would take this opportunity to say. that he
was very much touched by the welcome he
had received since he reached our shores.
He was well aware that the kindness with
which he had been received was not due to
any personal merit, but felt it was due more
10 MS position, as representative OF the
country on the other side. The object
which had brought him over was the feeling
Of kinship existing between the two nations,
which during the last twenty years had been
brought closer together, and old prejudices
made to disappear. Personal Intercourse
tion, on which alone true friendship is built
Mr.. Chamberlain thought we would be
able to settle our differences and did not ex-
peet that the settlement Of the dispute
would give any special advantage to either
party. 1t was not TO the interest of either
great nation to make settlement that is not
to the best interest of both. They had only
to lay aside all matters not in dispute. He
had no doubt that the considerations Of this
country would weigh heavily in any con-
trOversy between Great Britain and the
United States in spite of all the things the
politicians could interpose. The two ma
tions were the greatest customers, one
with the other. Half of the total exports of
the United States find market in the Uui-
ted Kingdom. The two countries could not
afford the luxury of quarrel. loud APP
plause.) Sentiments and interests alike
combine to cement the ties which kinship
and common origin entities us to.
III you will permit me, will say one
word about my impressions Of the country.
have seen very little but have heard
great deal. Naughtef) / thing it may be
summed up in sentence. am simply
amazed at the energy, enterprise and ceaseless
activity with which you pursue your avoca-
tions. You have carried to the highest point
the development of the science of the pro-
duction of wealth. But that's only one step
in nations progress and you are likely TO
be confronted sooner or later, and, If | do
not mistake the signs Of the times, it will be
sooner rather than later, with other problems
as important to humanity, when you will
now find employment for the wealth now be-
ing created" Y
Mayor Hewitt responded to the toast "The
City of New York. Geo. VIM. Curtis to
"The English Speaking Race" Hon. w. r.
Cramer, NJ. p, to .'The Peace Delegation"
and Jas. S. Carter to i'rhe Bench and the
Bar" n
Hewitt and the Law.
NEW YORK, Nov. 15.-In letter to Dis